On January 3, 2026, at approximately 11:51 A.M., Wright County Deputy Merten was dispatched to call Brittany S regarding the theft of her friend Kenneth M's cell phone. Dep. Merten spoke with both Brittany and Kenneth by phone, during which time Brittany was relaying information from “Life 360” on the current location of Kenneth's cell phone. Brittany and Kenneth explained that they and two other people, Larry and Jerry Allen, had just returned to Kenneth’s residence in Maple Lake, Wright County, Minnesota, after ice fishing on Red Lake.
The parties drove back in Larry’s vehicle, and when they returned to Kenneth’s residence there was an argument between Kenneth and Larry about helping to pay for gas. Kenneth paid Larry $50 for gas, but Larry denied getting paid, and an argument ensued. Kenneth got upset, frustrated and went into his residence. Brittany observed Kenneth lay his Galaxy 25 Ultra cell phone on the bed of his red truck. While Kenneth was inside his residence, Brittany observed Larry grab Kenneth’s cell phone from Kenneth’s truck, then Larry and Jerry left in Larry’s truck.
Brittany advised that Jerry was driving the truck and Larry was in the passenger seat when they left Kenneth’s residence. While continuing to speak with Kenneth and Brittany, Brittany was still observing location info through Life 360 and advised that Kenneth's cell phone was in the Rockford area traveling east on HWY 55. Dep. Merten asked Kenneth for further information about his phone. Kenneth advised that his phone was a Galaxy 25 Ultra with a black magnetic pelican case valued at $1400.00. At 12:01 P.M., Dep.
Farniok was dispatched to assist in the theft incident, and was advised that the suspect vehicle, a Black GMC Denali with two black male occupants was driving eastbound on HWY 55 SE toward the City of Rockford. He was advised the passenger in the vehicle “Larry” had taken a Samsung Phone and the theft was witnessed by another person. Dep. Farniok located the vehicle at HWY 55 and Dogwood St in Hennepin County and initiated a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Jerry Lee Allen, and the passenger as Larry Allen, [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter the defendant.
They were advised of the reason for the stop, and they stated that they had left Maple Lake a little while ago after dropping friends off after a fishing trip. They got in a disagreement about gas money and then left the residence. The defendant denied taking Kenneth’s phone, and Jerry denied witnessing him taking the phone, or any knowledge of the phone being in the vehicle. When they were told that the phone was being tracked by Life360, and that the Deputy knew that the phone was in the vehicle, the defendant again denied taking the phone.
Eventually, as the defendant was again asked where the cell phone was, he stated “it’s under the seat, he knows he owes me some god damn money, he doesn't want to pay for gas.” The phone, a Samsung with a black Pelican phone case, was ultimately found underneath the passenger seat where the defendant had been sitting. The phone was photographed and returned to Kenneth.
